Brakhage, Stan.

Collection of 12 Stan Brakhage films with accompanying holograph notes and catalog, from the library of Bobbie Louise Hawkins and Robert Creeley.

N.p., [1960s]. Item #4074

A collection of film reels (many inscribed) and accompanying material from the library of Bobbie Louise Hawkins (then Bobbie Creeley) and Robert Creeley, featuring the work of filmmaker Stan Brakhage.

This grouping contains 12 film reels by Stan Brakhage, nine holograph cards from Brakhage to Robert Creeley and Bobbie Creeley, and a catalog of Brakhage's films. The Brakhage films are often warmly inscribed from Stan to the Creeleys, and include cuts of Brakhage's celebrated experimental works from the 1960s, including Mothlight, Eye Myth, and films from the Songs series, often with notes on the films included as cards or on the containers themselves. 

The association between the Creeleys and Brakhage in this collection is significant; Robert Creeley was attending a university reception in Boulder when he first met Stan and Jane Brakhage, and they remained close friends thereafter. Sharing artistic inclinations, per Creeley, Stan Brakhage was interested in the fact that Bobbie Louise Hawkins was making Super 8 films in the 1960s, and attracted to the simplicity of that approach. The couples would remain friends, and in admiration of each others’ work. Creeley considered Brakhage “the defining filmmaker of the country.” ("Robert Creeley on Stan Brakhage," Optic Nerve Online).

The complete information for this collection is as follows:

Films

Mothlight: One 3", 8mm reel, approx. 4 min., housed in box with autograph labels and notes from Brakhage reading "-'Mothlight' - By Brakhage 8mm" on the front and "For The Creeleys" on the back.

Songs 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 14: One 7" reel, approx. 42 min., housed in 7 1/4 in. metal canister with white holograph label card taped to front.

Song 15 Song Traits: Two 5" reels, approx. 47 min., housed in two 6 in. green metal canisters with holograph brown tape labels reading "Reel # 1 '15 Song Traits' by Brakhage" and "Reel # 2 (Final) '15 Song Traits' by Brakhage." Reel two appears to have been wound incorrectly, with a partial break in one place of the film.

Songs 16–18: One 5" reel, approx. 15 min., housed in 5 in. blue canister with a blue and white holograph label reading "Songs 16, 17, 18 Brakhage" that has detached.

Songs 19 and 20: One 5" reel, approx. 14 min., housed in 5 in. blue canister with a blue and white holograph label reading "Songs 19 and 20 Brakhage."

Song 26: One 3" reel, approx. 8 min., housed in cardboard box with autograph label and note from Brakhage to front and back. Front reads "'Song 26' by Brakhage From 1st shot after title, then don't worry about the [illegible] (unless you like)"; back reads "For the Creeleys - Blessings, Stan."

23rd Psalm Branch Part 1, Reel 1: One reel housed in an unopened cardboard box, addressed to the Creeleys and postmarked October 27, 1969. Autograph note from Brakhage on the front reads "23rd Psalm Branch Part 1 Reel 1 Set frame line correctly at beginning then do not change thru showing reels # 1 and 2 (i.e. all of part 1)."

23rd Psalm Branch Part 1, Reel 2: One reel housed in an unopened cardboard box addressed to the Creeleys and postmarked October 27, 1969. Autograph note from Brakhage on the front reads "23rd Psalm Branch Part 1 Reel 2 Do not change frame line from setting for Reel # 1 ... ... ie until you get to 'Part 2: to source' - which I gave you a couple years back, right? - ie. you now have it all...Blessings, Stan."

23rd Psalm Branch Part 2, Reels 3 and 4: Two 7" reels with original lead tape attached to the reel sides, possibly not shown, housed in a worn cardboard box with autograph note from Brakhage on the front reading "Dear Creeleys - Sorry I can't afford to send 'Part 1' at this time, but at least you have, herein, yourself and 'source.' Blessings, Stan." Within the box are two autograph index cards with notes to the Creeleys and projectionists about how to run the films.

Eye Myth Loop: One reel, originally 3" and trimmed to approx. 1", approx. 8 seconds, housed in 4 in. canister, with masking tape label reading "Eye Myth" in Brakhage's hand on the front of the canister. Housed in worn cardboard box addressed "Bob + Bobbie Creeley" in Placitas, New Mexico, with the Brakhages' return address in Rollinsville, Colorado.

Catalog and notes

Brakhage, Stan. Brakhage Films. N.p., n.d. Side-stapled. Cover photograph by Bob Del Tredici, back cover with a still from Brakhage's "The Process." Contains 12 pp. list of Brakhage's films for sale, with run time and prices listed, and instructions to send payment to Jane Brakhage in Rollinsville, Colorado. 

Nine holograph notecards with notes on "Song" films from Brakhage to the Creeleys, housed in a cardboard box labeled "'Song 6' 'Song 7' By Brakhage."

Identification and Condition

Film contents have been checked by comparing titles on the heads to match with the canisters, except for in the case of films that remain in unopened packaging, such as 23rd Psalm Branch. Unopened materials remain unopened and are cataloged according to Brakhage's labeling. Film condition has been assessed visually, and any details noted with individual items. Many of the enclosures have some wear or age-toning, and are overall very good. For preservation purposes, films have not been run or viewed during the process of cataloging. 

An important grouping of association films, between the Creeleys and Brakhage, with extensive details in Brakhage's hand about how his friends should encounter his work.

Additional photographs available upon request.

Price: $6,500.00